Chakwera’s bold hope: ‘MCP to govern Malawi 2014’

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential candidate for next year’s elections, Dr Lazarus Chakwera in his maiden political rally since he was elected the party’s president at the convention, has expressed confidence that he is going to build “a winning team” for the polls.

In his address to thousands of supporters who attended his rally Ntchalachala ground in central region district of Kasungu, the home of founding President Kamuzu Banda, Chakwera said Malawi needed “fresh leadership” and that MCP provides the hope to govern the country better.

Chakwera who was flanked by his wife Monica, his predecessor John Tembo, all candidates he defeated at the MCP convention and MCP gurus who had gone into a low political profile, including former Speaker Louis Chimango and former deputy speaker Lillian Kapanda Phiri.

The losing aspirants present included former Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo, former Farmers Union of Malawi president Felix Jumbe, Member of Parliament Watson Makala Ngozo and former Cabinet minister Jodder Kanjere.

Also attending the rally was MCP vice president Richard Msowoya, sceretary-general Chris Daza, its members of parliament and scores of returnees who had joined other parties.

Kwacha! Chakwera to the crowds in Kasungu

He said MCP main task when is takes over power will be to “genuinely” revive the battered economy, improve agriculture-economy and lift Malawi out of national despair.

Offering hope, Chakwera said he will also run a government of integrity – the essence of fighting corruption and observance of human rights and observance of the rule of law.

Said Chakwera: “The new vision and direction is to transform Malawian lives in all sectors. It is sad that even in the Sadc region, we are the least developed country but we want by 2020 this country should be able to create a middle income society.”

Chakwera said the people of Malawi will deliver a resounding verdict in next year’s elections.

He called on Malawians to rally behind MCP and “climb out of the false comfort zones.”

Chakwera said the country was no beyond repair, saying MCP government will restore confidence of the people of, re-engaging them around the cause for national renewal.

“It is now fifty years since independence but nothing much has been done in terms of development. At times we have signs that things are moving only to realise that we are back from where we started. Why is that the case? This is the question that all of us have to answer,” said Chakwera.

“We would not want to portray that we are leaders to be served but leaders who are ready to provide service and direction so that everyone knows where we are going; and where we would want to be.”